Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
9601
Company Name
Abercrombie and Kent (Tanzania) Limited
Date ESRS Disclosed
Feb 5, 2010
Country
Tanzania
Region
Africa
Last Updated Date
Jan 2, 2017
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Status
Completed
Previous Events
Approved : Jun 11, 1999
Signed : Nov 11, 1999
Invested : Mar 15, 2000
Sector
Tour Operators (i.e., Arranging and Assembling Tours)
Industry
Tourism, Retail and Property
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Africa
Project Description
Environmental Review Summary (ERS)
Project Name: AEF - TANZANIA: Abercrombie & Kent II (Tanzania) Limited
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector: Tourism
Project No: 009601
1. A&K Tanzania, an existing IFC client, is a tour operator that packages holidays in Tanzania. The Company contracts hotel accommodation, organizes land and air transportation within the country and provides local guides for the tourists. A&K Tanzania began operation in 1986 and is now one of the largest tour operators in Tanzania with a fleet of 100 vehicles comprised of minibuses and four-wheel drive vehicles for safari transportation. The project is for the purchase of an additional twelve Toyota Landcruiser vehicles, camping equipment and minor improvement to A&K’s offices/workshop.
2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of the project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed:
· Camp site locations;
· Coordination with Park authorities;
· Vehicle entry limits;
· Sewage and liquid effluent disposal;
· Solid waste disposal;
· Water supply;
· Fuel supply;
· Oil/motor fluid disposal
· Fuel/oil storage;
· Vehicle safety;
· Employee safety training and emergency response; and
· Fire Safety.
The information provided by A&K about how each of these potential impacts will be addressed in the development of the proposed project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
3. Camping Operations: All of A&K’s camping operations are conducted in National Parks or in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Campsites used are only those designated and approved by the National Parks authority (TANAPA) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). No permanent structures exist at these sites. Camps are strictly mobile.
Waste - all materials and evidence of the campsite must be removed on A&K’s departure from the respective site. No solid waste is disposed of in the National Parks or in the NCA; some combustible material is burned to heat water on site. Sewage is disposed of in small toilet pits which TANAPA and NCAA approve. These pits are appropriately covered upon departure. Due to the small numbers of guests in each camping group, impacts associated with this practice are minimal.
Power/Fuel Supply – a combination of fuelwood, charcoal, kerosene and solar power are used for cooking and lighting. A small portable diesel generator is used for operating a freezer for foodstuffs. Fuelwood used is collected from within the Parks as directed by TANAPA and NCAA. As per Park regulations firewood collected inside the Park cannot be removed from the Park. No vegetation must be disturbed or damaged, be this dead/alive.
Water Supply – water is obtained from sites within the Parks designated by TANAPA and NCAA. Bottled mineral water is available for drinking.
Fire Safety – TANAPA and NCAA maintain fire safety breaks around certain campsites and also conduct controlled seasonal burning of grassland within the Park. A&K also maintain fire extinguishers at campsites. As per Park regulations open fires are never left unattended and are extinguished upon departure.
General Safety – vehicle/guest movements after dark is strictly prohibited and vehicles must remain in camp between 7pm and 6 am. Food is properly stored during the night to prevent scavenging by wildlife. Guests are only allowed to walk within the campsite.
Vehicle Entry Limits – This issue primarily related to NCAA where vehicles entering the Crater have increased in number over the last few years. A&K have been very involved in discussions with NCAA through public and private meetings. A&K had supported NCAAs increase in tariffs for vehicle entries, aimed at reducing total vehicle entries by increasing vehicle size (within acceptable limits). A&K have purchased vehicles with larger seating capacity (7 persons) to further reduce vehicles entering the Crater. Capacity increases to 10 persons are being explored.
Coordination with TANAPA and NCAA – A&K coordination with authorities is close and has involved assistance in the form of identifying new camp sites and sending staff to participate in cleanup programs. A&K remain committed to continuing close coordination with authorities and strictly following all Park regulations relating to camping and vehicle operation.
4. Vehicle/Workshop Operations (as also identified in the A&K ERS released in 1996): A&K Tanzania has three in-house workshops for performing the maintenance and repairs of its vehicles. Waste engine and gear oils are recycled locally by selling used oil to a company which uses the oil to operate an industrial furnace. Parts that are removed from vehicles (e.g., tires, tubes, batteries) because they are no longer serviceable in the tourist industry are locally sold and reused. Other solid waste and domestic trash is disposed of in accordance with local practices.
The company operates two diesel fuel dispensing stations; these are centralized to control inventory and quality. Both stations have large storage tanks (22,500 liters and 13,500 liters, respectively) and proper fuel dispensing pumps. These stations are the property of the supplier of A&K Tanzania’s fuel and lubricants and are regularly serviced and maintained by the supplier in accordance with local standards for spill protection and fire protection.
A&K Tanzania purchases its vehicles through the franchise holders of the different makes in Tanzania to ensure that they comply with all local requirements. The vehicles are maintained in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers. In order to further ensure reliability and safety, the company has implemented an enhanced program of body and mechanical vehicle maintenance. A&K Tanzania has a driver training program that includes regular seminars for the driver/guides which include such topics as customer relations, park regulations, first aid, proper operation of vehicles and roadside repairs.
5. Facilities Improvements at workshops includes construction of single storey concrete blocks with iron sheet roofs at workshops. New fuel storage tanks will be provided with secondary containment (steel tanks in concrete structures).
6. This ERS will be released locally through TANAPA and NCAA offices at least 30 days before IFC project approval. Availability of the ERS at these locations will be announced in a local/national newspaper.
7. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that A&K’s proposed project will meet World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines and host country requirements.
8. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines during the lifetime of the project by evaluating reports submitted annually to IFC by A&K and by conducting periodic supervision.
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
Broad Community Support
Related SII
